World Cerebral Palsy Day 2018: How is cerebral palsy different from autism? Symptom, causes of CP

Cerebral palsy refers to a group of neurological disorders that affect muscle movement and coordination. October 6th is celebrated as World Cerebral Palsy Day.

Cerebral palsy refers to a group of neurological disorders that affect muscle movement and coordination&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspThinkstock

New Delhi: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood. Cerebral palsy is a lifelong disability and affects around 17 million people throughout the world. Saturday, 6th October 2018, marks World Cerebral Palsy Day. Perhaps, World Cerebral Palsy Day is more than just an awareness day about cerebral palsy, it is also an opportunity to celebrate the lives and achievements of those with the disorder and the people and the organisations that support them.

What is cerebral palsy?

Basically, cerebral palsy refers to a group of neurological disorders that affect muscle movement and coordination. In many cases, cerebral palsy affects the vision, hearing, and sensation. It is the most common cause of motor disabilities in childhood.

What are the signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy?

The signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy can vary from person to person and range from mild to severe. Some of the common signs are:

Variations in muscle tone, such as being too floppy or too stiff

Stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes or spasticity

Lack of muscle coordination or ataxia

Slow, writhing movements or athetosis

Delays in reaching motor skills milestones - such as pushing up on arms, sitting up alone or crawling

Tremors or involuntary movements

Difficulty movement

Excessive drooling and problems with swallowing

Neurological problems, such as seizures, intellectual disabilities, and blindness

Usually, symptoms appear before a child reaches age 3 or 4. Always consult a doctor if you suspect your child has symptoms of CP. Early diagnosis and treatment are important.

What causes cerebral palsy?

The exact cause of cerebral palsy isn’t known, but damage to the developing brain or abnormal brain development (usually before the child is born) can cause the condition. Other factors associated with an increased risk of cerebral palsy include certain infections or health problems during pregnancy, infant illness, premature birth, low birth weight, multiple babies (twins or triplets), Rh blood type incompatibility between mother and child, etc.

What are the different types of cerebral palsy?

There are different types of cerebral palsy that affects babies and children in different ways. They are:

Spastic cerebral palsy - this is the most common type of the disorder, affecting around 76.9% of all people with CP. Many people with spastic CP have walking abnormalities.

Dyskinetic cerebral palsy - also known as dystonic and athetoid, it is the 2nd most common form of cerebral palsy, although it only affects around 2.6% of all cases of the disorder. People with this type of CP have trouble controlling their body movements.

Ataxic cerebral palsy - Ataxic CP is the least common type of CP and is characterised by voluntary muscle movements.

Hypotonic cerebral palsy - This disorder causes diminished muscle tone and overly relaxed muscles. People with this type of CP also have difficulty speaking, poor reflexes, and walking abnormalities.

Mixed cerebral palsy – as the name itself suggests, these people have a combination of symptoms from the different types of CP. This is called mixed CP.

How is cerebral palsy different from autism?

Cerebral palsy mostly affects a child's motor functioning, whereas, autism affects the normal development of the brain in areas such as social interaction, problem-solving and communication. Autism covers a wide spectrum, ranging from extremely mild symptoms to severe symptoms that can seriously impact daily life.

How is cerebral palsy treated? Can CP be prevented?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for cerebral palsy, however, treatment can help manage symptoms. The main goal of the treatment is to improve limitations and prevent complications. Treatment options may include assistive aids, medications, and surgery.

In most cases, cerebral palsy can't be prevented, but taking steps to keep healthy and minimise pregnancy complications can help reduce the risk of cerebral palsy.

World Cerebral Palsy Day 2018: How is cerebral palsy different from autism? Symptom, causes of CPDescription:Cerebral palsy refers to a group of neurological disorders that affect muscle movement and coordination. October 6th is celebrated as World Cerebral Palsy Day.Times Now